Through the collaboration between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and with support from Sweden, a new study was conducted called IMAGES 2024: Men, Women, and Gender Relations in Georgia – Public Perceptions and Attitudes,\. It revealed shifting yet ambivalent attitudes toward gender equality in Georgia.
The report highlighted that gender perceptions have grown more complex since previous studies in 2013 and 2019, and the generational divides are increasing, while the awareness of gender equality principles is declining.
Findings of the Study:
Persistent Traditional Views on Women’s Roles
- 57.5% of Georgians believe a woman’s primary duty is caring for the family, an increase from 48% in 2019.
- The number of people supporting male dominance in household decision-making has also increased.
Support for Women in Politics
- 62% of respondents believe women’s active participation in politics benefits the country.
- Support for gender quotas in elections has increased among men from 44.4% in 2019 to 54.1% in 2024.
- Compared to 2013, when 50% supported women’s political participation, this figure has increased significantly.
Household Responsibilities and Gender Roles
- 6 in 10 women say childcare remains mostly their responsibility, a sentiment confirmed by half of the surveyed men.
- 40% of respondents believe childcare duties are shared equally between partners.
- Despite these gendered divisions, 77% of women and 85% of men say they are satisfied with the current arrangement.
Decision-Making in Families
- 69% of men and 47% of women believe final household decisions should be made by men.
- In 2019, only 34% of women agreed with this view, showing a significant increase.
Inheritance and Business Leadership
- Support for equal inheritance between sons and daughters has dropped among men from 60.6% in 2019 to 51.5% in 2024.
- 50% of Georgians believe men and women are equally capable of running businesses.
- Women’s confidence in business leadership has grown, with 62% of women in 2024 believing they can succeed in business, up from 56% in 2019.
- However, fewer men now agree with this belief, dropping from 54% in 2019 to 44% in 2024.
Generational Differences: Younger People More Supportive of Equality
- Among 18-29-year-olds, only 28.6% of women and 49% of men believe a woman’s primary role is in the home.
- In the 30-54 age group, these numbers rise to 47.7% of women and 65.2% of men.
- Among those 55 and older, traditional views are most noticeable, with 67.2% of women and 76.7% of men agreeing that a woman’s primary duty is within a family.
Expert Perspectives
Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia, pointed out that this study, conducted for the third time in 12 years, provides a long-term view of changing attitudes regarding gender.
“Despite ongoing debates, one clear trend emerges—nearly half of respondents believe gender equality has not yet been achieved in Georgia. However, more than 60% support greater political participation for women, signaling a vision of a more inclusive and equitable future,” he said.
Marika Bandzeladze, Head of UNFPA Georgia, highlighted the growing divide between traditional and progressive gender norms.
“While societal expectations around women’s household roles remain strong, younger generations show greater support for gender equality, both in family life and the public sphere,” Marika Bandzeladze, Head of UNFPA Georgia, emphasized the increasing divide between traditional and progressive gender norms.
Elizabeth Brandberg, Head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Georgia, discussed the importance of addressing structural barriers and issues.
“This study comes at a critical moment. Recognizing and removing obstacles to women’s economic and political participation is essential to ensuring they play an active role in shaping Georgia’s future,” she declared.
